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Lee's relationship with Bolton players was at breaking point

Sammy Lee's relationship with his players was at breaking point before his departure from Bolton Wanderers, it has been revealed.

The Guardian says relations have been so strained that one player allegedly belittled Lee in front of the squad by telling him his opinion was worthless. There have been stand-up rows and Speed relinquished his duties as first-team coach last week after a series of arguments led to him being axed from the squad. Nolan was also dropped from Lee's final game, a 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea.

It is said Jussi Jaaskelainen has declined to sign a new contract partly because of Lee's presence as manager and on another occasion the senior players declined to do post-match interviews after a defeat at Birmingham as they would have been asked to express their backing for Lee.